What are the Education Pathways & Opportunities for Malaysia’s UEC 考试 Graduates?

What to Study after Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) 华文独立中学统一考试
Find Out the Best Study Route for Students after UEC 考试
- Find out what is the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) 考试
- What are the best education pathways and study opportunities for UEC graduates?
- Is the UEC recognised?
UEC 是统考,英文名称为Unified Examination Certificate,它是马来西亚华文独立中学统一考试。UEC 是什么 level?对于马来西亚的私立大学及学院,UEC 是相当于 A-level 的水平,如果你有足够的学分可以直接进入学位课程.
The Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) 考试 is a Pre-University programme taken by students from Chinese Independent Schools in Malaysia. Students who have completed the UEC may apply for a degree or diploma programme at a private university or college in Malaysia. To enter into a degree course, they will need at least 5Bs in the relevant subjects. For students with 3 or 4Bs, they can opt for diploma or foundation before continuing on to the degree course. However, the UEC is not recognised for entry into Malaysia’s public universities or IPTA.
Currently, the exam is taken in December and results are released in January. Therefore, UEC graduates may apply for the March intakes at Malaysia’s private universities. Subsequent intake generally are in August/September although it will vary from university to university.
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马来西亚有许多的私人学府,提供着各式各样的课程,这可能会让你在作出选择时会感到少许的困惑,选出一项喜欢自己的课程以及合适的大学并不是一件容易的事。
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What are Your Education Pathways and Opportunities after Completing the UEC?
What is the UEC 考试?

Haw Chieh, Accounting Graduate
The Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) known as 统考 is a pre-university exam that is taken by Malaysian students from Chinese Independent High Schools (华文独立中学). The United Examination Certificate (UEC) was created to standardise examinations for independent Chinese schools that use Mandarin as their primary language.
The first UEC took place in 1975 and the entire examination system (teaching syllabus, examination timetable and grading criteria) is administered by The United Chinese School Committees Association of Malaysia, commonly known as Dong Zong (董总) every year. Currently, there are 60 registered Chinese independent high schools in Malaysia.
The Chinese independent schools’ students will also sit for all the national examinations such as PMR and SPM, where the subjects are taught simultaneously. Students will take the SPM exam in their 2nd senior year and sit for the UEC in the 3rd senior year. These two exams do not overlap, allowing students and teachers to completely concentrate on the upcoming exams. Not all Chinese independent school students choose to stay for their 3rd senior year and sit for the UEC.
What is the Grading System for the UEC 考试 in Malaysia?

Kwang Wei, Business graduate
Students will need to understand the UEC grading system in order to find out if they qualify for entry into universities. Basically, students will need at least 5 credits to enter into a degree programme. A credit is any grade between A1 and B6. When it comes to UEC, the subjects are graded according to nine grades as listed below:
- A1
- A2
- B3
- B4
- B5
- B6
- C7 [Pass]
- C8 [Pass]
- F9 [Fail]
马来西亚独中生统考后的大学升学途径
What Is The UEC 考试 Entry Requirements To Study Degree/Other Programmes In Malaysia?
Generally, the minimum degree entry requirements for private universities and colleges in Malaysia are as below:
- Degree – 5 credits (Bs) in the relevant subjects
- Diploma/ Foundation – If students have at least 3 credits (Bs) to 4 credits (Bs), they cannot enrol for a degree programme straight away and must choose to do a Diploma/ Foundation programme
- Certificate – Students with 1B or 2Bs in the relevant subjects may take a Certificate course and then continue to Diploma
How to Calculate UEC Grades for Scholarships at Private Universities?

Eric Lau, Graduated from Graphic Design at First City University College
Some private universities may require students to calculate the cumulative points of their best 5 or 6 subjects results for scholarship application.
Here’s how to calculate them.
UEC grade | Point |
---|---|
A1 | 1 |
A2 | 2 |
B3 | 3 |
B4 | 4 |
B5 | 5 |
B6 | 6 |
Is the UEC Certificate Recognised?
The UEC qualification is recognised by the private universities in Malaysia for entry into the undergraduate programmes. Students who have completed the UEC and obtained the minimum results required may apply directly to a private college or university in Malaysia for a degree or diploma course.
Other countries such as Singapore, Taiwan, China, Japan, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, etc also accept the UEC for entry into their universities in addition to other requirements such as English.
On the other hand, note that the UEC is not accepted for entry into the IPTA or public university in Malaysia.
Does Malaysia accept UEC?
The UEC qualification taken by students from Malaysia’s Chinese Independent High Schools is accepted for entry into the private universities and colleges only. The UEC is not recognised for entry into government or public universities also known as IPTA.
What are the Countries that Recognise the UEC for Entry into their Universities?

Kah Wai, now graduated with Food Science & Nutrition
More than 300 private higher education institutions in Malaysia recognise the UEC qualification for entry into their undergraduate programmes. The UEC is also recognised by other countries for entry into the universities. Some countries may require additional requirements such as English.
Below is a list of countries that also accept the UEC qualifications to pursue your tertiary education.
- Taiwan
- China
- Hong Kong
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- America
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Ireland
- South Korea
- Japan
Is UEC Recognised in USA?
The USA has a totally different education system from other countries where students after high school will immediately enter into the Degree Year 1 as Freshman for a total of 4 years. Other countries like Malaysia, UK, Australia, etc requires students after high school (SPM or IGCSE) to take a Pre-University programme before continuing on to a 3-year degree programme. The UEC is equivalent to a Pre-University programme.
UEC students who plan to study in the USA would best not take the UEC exam but go for the SPM exam and then enter directly into the Year 1 of the degree programme at American universities.
Is UEC equivalent to Diploma?
No, the UEC is not equivalent to a Diploma programme. The UEC is a a Pre-University Programme taken by Chinese Independent High School students and is equivalent to courses like STPM, A-Levels, AUSMAT, SACEi, CIMP, etc. The Diploma is another different pathway to the degree programme.
What course should I take after UEC?

Justin Moo, Mechanical Engineering graduate from Taylor’s University
Selecting the best possible degree course to study after completing the Unified Examination Certificate (UEC) is a key decision to make, and often a challenging one. It is important to take time to think over your decision as this could change your life forever.
You need to choose a degree based on your personal strengths and your goals. Most importantly, the right degree will help you to develop skills for the long term, for your career and personal development.
These might include, for example, problem-solving, strategic and analytical skills, thinking creatively, and assimilating new ideas. There can be intense competition for jobs, therefore choosing the right university that will equip you with the necessary knowledge and skills will enhance your chances for a successful career.
To choose the best course that fits you, you need to consider the following:
- Look at your results – what are your best & worst subjects, and which subjects are your favourite?
- What are your interests & hobbies?
- What is your passion?
- Job demand for the career of choice. There is no point in choosing a course out of passion and then graduate to find out that you cannot get a job in that field.
- Salary of the career of choice
- Discuss the budget for your studies with your parents. There is no point in choosing a course like Pharmacy or Medicine, if you cannot afford it.
After Unified Examination Certificate (UEC), there are many different degree programmes at top private universities and colleges in Malaysia for you to choose from and sometimes it can be confusing. Furthermore, there are thousands of courses, and the same title of course may not be taught in the same way, or cover the same material, at every university offering it in Malaysia.
An experienced and knowledgeable advisor will be able to provide you with the right information and guide you. Students who are not sure of what to study after UEC can contact EduSpiral Consultant Services to help guide you to choose the right course and university in Malaysia.
Best Education Pathway in Malaysia After Completing the UEC

Vincent Yeoh, Accounting & Finance at Asia Pacific University (APU)
Those who stay on for UEC, on the other hand, will find that their tertiary education will be limited to private schools that accept their UEC results, as the UEC is not recognised in government universities unless they are using their SPM results to take the STPM.
The UEC exam is equivalent to Pre-University programmes like the STPM and A-levels. It is also recognised in other countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, and more.
Most UEC graduates choose to study at private universities in Malaysia or continue their studies to Taiwan or China because of the familiarity with the Chinese language and culture.
In order to choose the right education pathway, students will need to evaluate the subjects that you have taken in the UEC. During Senior Middle Three students will either study the Science stream, Commerce stream or Pure Arts stream.
The 3 languages are compulsory subjects for all the UEC streams. Students can sit for 7 subjects up to 10 subjects combination.
- Accounting
- Advanced Mathematics
- Advanced Mathematics I
- Advanced Mathematics II
- Art
- Bahasa Malaysia
- Basic Circuit Theory
- Biology
- Bookkeeping & Accounts
- Business Studies
- Chemistry
- Chinese Language
- Computing & Information Technology
- Digital Logic
- English
- Economics
- Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering
- Geography
- History
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Principles of Electronics
Based on which stream you are in and the subject combination, you can then choose which degree course. However, note that some subjects like Principle of Electronics, Basic Circuit Theory and Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering are not accepted for entry into Engineering degree programmes in Malaysia’s private universities if you don’t have credits in Physics and Mathematics. Therefore, the subjects chosen are important.
What are the General Entry Requirements for UEC?
Level of Study | UEC Grade Needed |
Certificate | Minimum 1B |
Diploma 专科文凭 | Minimum 3Bs |
Degree (Also known as Bachelor or Undergraduate) 学士学位 | Minimum 5Bs in Relevant Subjects |
American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP). 美国学分转移课程 | Minimum 3Bs |
Professional Papers (ACCA, etc.) | Minimum 5Bs in Relevant Subjects |
What are the Entry Requirements for UEC into Degree Programmes at Malaysia’s Private Universities?

Darren, Finance & Investment Graduate
In order to choose the right course that fits you to study in Malaysia, you would also need to know the entry requirements. Entry requirements for university vary with each institution. It’s important you understand the qualifications needed for the course you wish to pursue.
Each course will have its own entry requirements, often specifying both the subjects you must already have studied, as well as the grades you’ll need to have achieved. Malaysia’s Private Universities tend to express their entry requirements in a variety of ways. If you’re confused, always contact the university themselves.
If you had obtained 5B’s in the UEC, you can go directly into the degree programme. I talked to a student who completed the UEC with at least 5Bs and was advise to take a Foundation course therefore wasting one year, when he could have entered directly into the degree program.
Generally, arts students will never be able to take science-related degree programmes. However, it is possible for arts stream students to enter into engineering courses with the relevant results.
- Medicine and Pharmacy – B4 each in 5 subjects: Biology; and Chemistry; and Physics; and Mathematics; and Advanced Mathematics
- Applied Science degree courses such as Biotechnology, Food Science, Nutrition, etc – UEC 5Bs (Inclusive of Chemistry, Biology & Mathematics / Physics)
- Engineering Degree Programme Entry Requirements – UEC 5 Bs (inclusive of Mathematics and Physics). For Chemical Engineering, the subjects required are Maths & Chemistry.
- Computing – Computer Science, Software Engineering and Information Technology (IT) – 5 credits (B6), including Additional Mathematics
- Architecture & Quantity Survey – Minimum 5 Credits (‘B’ grade) INCLUDING Maths
- Law – UEC 5Bs including English
- Business – Business Administration, International Business, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Logistics etc – Minimum 5 credits (B6) and pass (C8) in Mathematics and English
- Accounting, Finance, Finance & Investment, Fintech, Banking & Finance and Actuarial Science – Pass in UEC with minimum 5 credits (B6) including Mathematics and pass in English. For Accounting, MUET or IELTS is required
- Communications – Mass Communication, Public Relations, etc – Minimum 5 credits (B6) including English.
- Hospitality – Hotel Management, Event Management, Culinary Arts, Baking – Minimum 5 credits (B6)
- Creative Arts & Design – Minimum 5 credits (B6)
- Psychology – Minimum 5 credits including Mathematics and a science subject & Pass English